NEW DELHI: The chances of either of the two Kolkata giants playing in the Indian Super League (ISL) this season is “next to nothing”, a senior All India Football Federation (AIFF) has told Telegraph India.
“Apart from paucity of time, there are several factors involved in it. It is difficult to see any of the two teams, especially East Bengal, playing the ISL V. Mohun Bagan, we believe, have their own problems. Let them solve those first,” the unnamed official told the daily.
“East Bengal have spoken to AIFF president Praful Patel. He has been honestly trying for them since the club have roped in a good sponsor (Quess Corp) a few days back.
“But the problem is that we do not see any chance of ISL organisers opening up the bid this season to accommodate new teams. It would happen but not before the next season,” he said.
The official said that East Bengal insisting on playing in Kolkata only is also a major hurdle towards their inclusion in the ISL. Since the RP-Sanjiv Goenka group owned ATK enjoy the exclusive rights of being the lone Kolkata franchise in the ISL till this season, it is difficult to raise another outfit from the same city, the AIFF official told the daily.
“We all appreciate East Bengal’s efforts to be a part of ISL but in all probability, it could be from the next season,” he said.
The ISL this season will begin in the third week of September, almost immediately after the end of SAFF Championship in Dhaka.
